“It’s a lie for now.”
Warrick sneered. “It’s a lie forever.”
“Needless to say, I felt spurned that day you rejected me at the Ashworth ball.”
Warrick’s mind raced. Had Selena believed this woman’s words?
“Lady Selena has quite the decision to make, Warrick, dear,” Lady Ridgeland continued. “She’s been told that if she wants to join the club, she has to hand over the book and cut ties with you.”
Warrick’s temples ached. Had he known last night would take such a turn, he wouldn’t have drunk brandy straight from the bottle. He could still feel the aftereffects of the alcohol, and his head had yet to fully clear.
“Why reveal your identity now?” Saville asked. “Is your little club not secret? What are you playing at?”
“Oh, I am but one member, and the power of denial is still strong in this world.”
“Not when it comes to secrets,” Warrick said. “All you need is a rumor.”
“Yes, that’s utter nonsense,” Saville agreed. “And if you are but one member, it means you are not in charge. We would like to speak to whoever you are taking your orders from, please.”
“I’m afraid that is not possible. I am tasked with procuring the book. How I do it is up to my own ingenuity, but no other members will be further involved.”
“And would your founder be happy that you revealed yourself to us?”
“She is too busy to worry about such irrelevant matters.”
“To worry about your games, you mean. Is that why you lied to Selena and demanded she cut ties with me?” Warrick demanded.
This troubled him more than he liked to admit. He cared little about the betting book, though he’d rather not have it fall into the hands of Lady Ridgeland. However, Selena might hand over the book for a chance to join.
But cutting him out of her life . . .
He didn’t know where he stood with her. She had resisted marriage to him even while barging into his chamber. Her actions did not always align with her words. Hadn’t she herself jested about fickleness? Then there was his failed confession. And most unnervingly, there was also the weekhehad cut ties withher. Though his intentions had been good, it hadn’t been perceived that way. She could, he realized—she could very well cut ties with him. She could very well give him up to try to join a club she had declared she wanted to find above all else. The comprehension burned in his gut.
“My sister won’t cut ties with Warrick.”
Warrick glanced at Saville in surprise at this defense.
“Can you claim that with absolute certainty?” Lady Ridgeland asked with a smile that shot cold shivers down Warrick’s spine.
“Yes,” Saville said. “She loves him.”
Warrick’s eyes widened. “Saville,” he said in a warning tone.What are you doing? Don’t goad the madwoman.In the samebreath, his heart did things it didn’t normally do. Could Saville truly know such a thing about his sister?
“What?” Saville blinked at him innocently. “The two of you are more lovers than you are with this creature before us.” He turned his attention back to Lady Ridgeland. “They kissed. We almost dueled over it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Your attempt to provoke me won’t work.”
“I even found her in his house, wearing his robe. Damn near stopped my heart.”
“Saville,” Warrick ground out. Did he realize he was aiding in his sister’s ruin?
Lady Ridgeland huffed. “I suppose that shall make watching her choose us over him all the more rewarding.”
Warrick scowled at her.
“Don’t worry. I don’t truly want you as my lover, Warrick, dear. I’m merely enjoying your anguish.”
“Why the hell would you do such a thing?”
